While lobster treats are no rarity in coastal Maine, at Dudley’s Refresher—a seasonal takeout eatery in the tiny seaside village of Castine—chef de cuisine Kara van Emmerik elevates these Down East treasures with peak-season flavors in authentic and scratch-made dishes.

“For me, cooking means utilizing the foods that are abundant and most intriguing in any given season. It ensures a freshness that cannot be replicated,” van Emmerik says. This sentiment is deliciously embodied in her supple poached lobster tails topped with delicately dressed pea shoots.

Fresh lobster needs gentle cooking methods such as steaming or poaching, van Emmerik explains; techniques such as boiling, roasting, or grilling are more prone to overcooking the lobster, yielding tough, rubbery meat. Try her original version of this dish, plus even more North Atlantic-inspired summer flavors, this month at Dudley’s Refresher.